To be able to safely guide large hoses, motion plastics company igus has now developed a new extender crossbar design for its E4Q modular energy chain series. With the help of an adapter system, the chain can be individually adapted to the hose diameter. The tool-free E4Q opening mechanism ensures easy installation and filling of the energy supply.

In 2019, igus launched a new series of energy chains under the name E4Q, which has already proven itself in applications worldwide - from machine tools to linear robots. The E4Q scores points with long unsupported lengths and long travels. It is particularly popular because of its modularity. In addition, the user can save 40 per cent assembly time and 10 per cent weight compared to the standard E4.1 series. "Some customers wanted to guide large hoses in addition to cables, which is why we have now developed the E4Q e-chain with extender crossbars in a design study," explains Phillip Hagedorn, Product Manager e-chains at igus GmbH. The extender crossbar can be mounted on the energy chain with an adapter system. For inserting hoses example, those used in the wood industry, igus relies on the proven E4Q crossbars. These can be opened and closed without any tools and are available in 15 different widths. This offers users a high level of variability when configuring their energy supply.

Guide hoses and cables safely in one system: "We have developed two different widths and heights of the adapters," explains Hagedorn. "This gives the customer the option of adapting the extender crossbar to the hose diameter." By using the extender crossbars, the interior space of the energy chain increases significantly. In addition to the hoses, other cables can also be accommodated and routed that way. With the product range of cable-friendly interior separation elements, the energy chain can be easily divided so that customers can lay out their cables and hoses as desired. Costs can also be saved with the new e-chain with extender crossbars because instead of a large energy chain, the user can simply insert a smaller chain with extended crossbars for more inner height.